MBAS Reviews Property Tax Ahead Of 2026 Implementation

ALOR SETAR, Nov 2 (Bernama) -- The Alor Setar City Council (MBAS) is conducting its first property tax reassessment in 32 years, ahead of new rates set to take effect on Jan 1, 2026.

Mayor Datuk Abdul Gafar Yahya said that 95,170 property owners have begun receiving notices of the new assessments, which were mailed starting Oct 9.

“The review is in accordance with Sections 137 and 41 of the Local Government Act 1976 and aims to align tax rates with current property values,” he told reporters today.

The revised rates, applied according to property type under Section 130(3)(a), range from 0.03 per cent to 0.4 per cent for residential, commercial, industrial, association buildings, special properties and vacant lots.

Abdul Gafar said property owners dissatisfied with their new assessments may file objections at Level 3, Urban Transformation Centre (UTC) here, with the deadline set for Nov 5.

“MBAS is committed to fairness and is providing ample opportunity for property owners to raise objections before the new rates are enforced,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Kedah Consumers Association (CAKE) submitted a memorandum to the mayor, urging MBAS to postpone the new assessments pending a detailed study to prevent overburdening taxpayers.

CAKE president Mohamad Yusrizal Yusoff urged MBAS to avoid steep tax hikes, extend objection deadlines, and engage directly with residents and businesses to ensure clarity on the new assessments.

-- BERNAMA